Sorry, Biodegradable Balls Only on the PGA Tour

Going Green. Does that phrase make you giddy with excitement or make you roll your eyes in disgust? I don't need to take a survey to tell you there are those who believe in taking steps to lessen our environmental footprint and those who believe this whole green movement is a giant bowel movement.

Regardless of which side of the fence you're on, if you're a golfer you should listen up. Right now, there's an organized group petitioning the USGA and R&A (Royal & Ancient Golf Club) to begin addressing environmental concerns in regards to golf - namely on the pro tours (PGA, European Tour, etc.).

If the petition grows legs, it could mean rule changes (something no one ever seems to welcome) and changes in the equipment we use. But will these changes be a bad thing, an unnecessary thing or a step in the right direction?

The petition began over at Golf Refugees, a golf apparel brand out of the UK. The company prides itself on producing eco-friendly clothes and products and decided to petition the powers that be in golf to begin "incorporating greener measures into the sport's guidelines."

So far, they've received a "we will consider your input in due course" letter back from the R&A, but basically what Golf Refugees wants is this:

Golf balls need to be biodegradable

Golf apparel needs to made from materials which are recycled and or compostable.

All golf courses need to have compost toilets and minimal water, pesticide and fertiliser usage.

Golf Refugees owner Peter Gorse states:

"...the governing bodies of golf [should] consider introducing 'eco golf rules' over a reasonable time frame. I see no reason why major golf ball manufactures cannot introduce using recycling materials into their products over the next few years. These part-recycled golf balls should be the future tournament golf balls."

My first reaction to Mr. Gorse's crusade was that it's impractical. Look (in case you don't already know), I'm definitely on the "we need to reduce our environmental footprint" side of the fence (see my other eco-posts below). But the Golf Refugees petition seemed like an impossible goal.

Instead, I suggested to Mr. Gorse that he push for creating one "eco-tournament" annually on one of the pro tours. A tournament that's played on a more eco-friendly course and players use recycled balls or tees or something. That to me seemed more feasible. But to request the USGA and R&A create blanket eco-rules for golf was a bit far-fetched in my opinion.

Maybe I'm not being a forward thinker? Is Mr. Grouse and the Golf Refugees idea completely insane? Will it just convolute the golf rule books and add costs to an already expensive game? I share Mr. Grouse's ideology for green living, but I'm not sure if this petition will help or hurt an already struggling game.

Perhaps we have to start somewhere...

Related Posts:
Can You Golf Eco-Friendly?
Would You Play A Brown Golf Course?
The Advent of Organic Golf Courses
Golf After Global Warming; It's Gonna Be Great!

A New Way To Spark The Golf Economy

I don't feel like getting into the mathematics or science of it, but lets just say the golf industry is continuing to struggle.

According to the last Rounds Played Report from the NGF (2009-2010, because 2011 is obviously not over yet and therefore cannot yet be analyzed), the number of rounds played in the U.S., including both public and private courses, dropped by 2.3% - the largest drop since 01-02 (3%). This marks the fourth consecutive year, as well as the seventh of the past eight, that rounds played has dropped.

Again, I'm not going to attempt to explain the math, but according to the numbers I've looked up, these drops in rounds have worked out to an average loss per course throughout the country of $48,000 per year. All total, you're looking at a loss of roughly $117 million dollars per year being spent on rounds of golf. With numbers like that, it's no wonder private courses are going public and publics are going under.

So what can be done? Well what if there were more opportunities to play? What if you just had a little more time to play? Take for instance the Thanksgiving holiday. Many people had a four-day weekend (not me, but many). Now, a four-day weekend is pretty rare. But even the occasional three-day weekend provides ample opportunity to gain an extra day of golf during the year. Problem with Thanksgiving is, it's usually too cold here in the northeast to get out and play at all.

It seems what's needed is a new three-day weekend. One to take place during golf season. And being that the state of the game is what it is, the USGA may want to lobby for this as well. Personally, my vote would be for August. I know June doesn't have any three day weeknds either, but with Memorial Day occuring late in May and Independence Day falling at the beginning of July, I can make it through June. But with the gap between the 4th of July and Labor Day, that's a much longer period of time to go without a day off.

So, now that we've established August, what exactly are we going to celebrate? Well, there are several birthdays which occur in August that are worthy of some notoriety. Francis Scott Key for instance was born on August 1st. Three former presidents (Benjamin Harrison, Hoover and LBJ) were all born in August as well. Mother Teresa for cryin' out loud! Surely Mother Teresa deserves a holiday in her name!

But I think there are two people who's August birthday's could be celebrated together. Two important Americans whom we all learned about while we were children in elementary school. Two people who's names have become synonomous with searching for lost golf balls in the woods. Who are they you ask? None other than William Clark and Meriwether Lewis AKA Lewis & Clark.

Think about it. How many times have you seen your golfing buddies, or some people from another group ahead of you wandering the woods searching for their ball - "We'd probably have teed off by now if it wasn't for Lewis & Clark searching for their balls in the woods." Or "Check out Lewis & Clark mapping a trail to the green."

Surely two great American pioneers together are deserving of one day to celebrate their accomplishments. After all, if not for Lewis & Clark, we may still not have discovered Omaha! And consequently, we may have never tasted those fantastic steaks! Culinarily speaking, where would we be then?!

Being that their birthdays fall on August 1st (Clark) and August 18th (Lewis), it seems to me like a good day to celebrate would be somewhere in the area of August 9th or 10th, with the actual observed holiday falling on the Monday or Friday closest. And just like that, we've given golfers an extra day of golf every summer.

So look what we've done here. We've gained an extra day off for our hard-working Americans, some recognition for two great pioneers, and an instant spark to the golf economy. What more could you ask for?

OK, we'll work on June as soon as we get the one in August.

Swing 'til you're happy!

Black Friday

Now that we've given thanks, our attention has turned to the next big event - Black Friday. Not for nothing but, what a dismal name to unofficially kick off the holiday shopping season. I mean it sounds like a cursed day. No? I'm sure there are a ton of people out there shopping right now that think so.

Black Friday means more than watching two people fight over the last half priced Gucci scarf. Although it is quite entertaining, just like watching those midnight shoppers come out of the store at day break looking like extras from "Dawn Of The Dead". There is more to this day than just shopping, for me at least. It marks the end of my golf season here in the northeast.

I vote that this day be celebrated. We celebrate "ends" for other things i.e. Thanksgiving. Whereas if you didn't know, celebrates the harvest which is the end of the growing season. We celebrate retirement, the end of our working days (for the most part). We also celebrate New Years. Sure you can say that it is a celebration for the new year but we celebrate it on the last day. The end of the year. The New Years anthem, Auld Lang Syne, is written in past tense and doesn't really mention what's to come rather what has happened.

Golf courses should follow in the Black Friday tradition and offer great deals. Oh I don't know, greens fees half off maybe? Buy a round get one free perhaps...which is pretty much the same as half off. But you get the idea, right? There could be a closing ceremony in the 19th hole with ridiculous drink and food specials. A crazy band playing, people dancing on the bar, a few nut bags streaking on the 18th green. Oh man, it's gonna be great! Weather permitting of course. Who's with me?

Hit'em long...yell FORE!!!

Golfing Thanks

November 20, 2011 - Leaner,
Hairier and Thankful.

I was eating dinner at a restaurant in Cancún, México one Thanksgiving (I know...of all the sacrilegious things an American can do) when a middle-aged English chap at the next table blurted-out in my direction; "I can tell by your accent that you're American, right?"

When I responded in the affirmative, he proceeded to ask the following question: "What's this whole Thanksgiving thing about anyway?" My tongue-in-cheek response was that we (Americans) were celebrating getting away from you (the British). On that note, we all had a quick chuckle, another sip of our Mojitos and then promptly got into an argument over turkey.

You see, he claimed that turkeys were native to England since (obviously and logically) "people have been eating turkey dinner on Christmas in England for hundreds of years." I, on the other hand, explained that turkeys were from the Americas and were brought over to England in the early 16th-century. On that point, we agreed to disagree.

But being away for Thanksgiving that year got me thinking about what this holiday really means. Sure, we all are thankful for our health, our family and the ability to put food on the table - these are all obvious things to be thankful for. But I'm not sure it really hits home until your health, someone in your family or that steady job goes away.

This year I've had some (albeit minor) health issues, to which I've taken steps to correct. But those issues kept me off the links for good amount of time - enough time to realize that golf (for me anyway) is a little bit of therapy - It's a reminder of all that's good in this world and if you can get yourself back out on the course, the healing process is complete (I'm sure Stinky Golfer Pete, whose health issues this season were far more serious than mine, would agree).

This past weekend, my healing process finished - I played golf for the first time in months. I played with my father, who at 76, hadn't hit the links in two years and wasn't sure he'd even be able to finish our 9-hole round (he would have been content to quit when he got tired and follow me in the cart for the rest of the round). Well, I'm happy to report he not only finished all 9-holes, but played better than expected to boot. As for me, I walked all 9 sans any gout pain in my foot. And I too shot better than expected (not my best round ever, but it could have been far worse).

So, as I settle in tomorrow to eat, drink and watch the Packers crush the Lions (and hopefully my Dolphins sneak past the Cowboys); I'll be thankful. Not just for my health or my family or even for golf. I'll be thankful for all of it.

Happy Thanksgiving.

And to our readers in the UK: Turkeys are as American as Pumpkin Pie (yes, pumpkins are from here too...).

Related Posts:
Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Thanksgolfing
Turkey on the Table and Clubs in the Attic

Why Don't We Tailgate For Golf?

I don't know about you, but to me, going to a football game goes hand-in-hand with tailgating. I almost feel that if I go to a game and I don't tailgate, somehow I've missed out on something. As a matter of fact, it's been a good five or six years since I went to a game and I didn't tailgate.

But to clarify, I don't get the chance to go to many games, so it's not like I'm a tailgating pro. On the contrary, a few times my buddies and I have managed to turn our big day into a comedy of errors! But, it's still a good time nonetheless.

But it's strange how tailgating seems to go only with football. For instance, I've never tailgated at any baseball game I've ever been to. Same for basketball, hockey,etc... Why is that? Is it a parking situation? I think that might have alot to do with it. It seems for football games,I've parked in lots. But for all other sports, I've been in a parking garage, took a train to the game or parked on the street somewhere. None of these are really conducive to tailgating. But you know what sport is? Golf.

Think about it. When you go to a golf tournament, the opportunity to tailgate is tremendous! Here in the northeast, golf season occurs during grilling season anyway, so the weather is probably on the nicer side. Also, I'd say that chances are you're not parking in a garage, taking a train in, or parking on a busy city street. Any golf tournament I've ever attended had me parked in a large field/lot...perfect for tailgating!

So why has tailgating never taken off with golf? If it's such a fun tradition for football, then why not find the time to do it during a summer sport as well? I think I may try to start up a little something new next year. The Travelers Championship will be taking place in the area next June. Maybe instead of my buddies and I bringing just a pair of comfortable sneakers, we'll pack up some burgers, dogs, a grill and a few brews!

Maybe we can start a new tailgating tradition. A summer tailgating tradition. Maybe we can start up a whole new trend! And hey, even if it turns out to be not all that great, it sure beats being stuck inside paying $7 for a beer and $6 for a pathetic looking burger wrapped in aluminum foil, right?

Swing 'til you're happy!

Golfercising

Now that our golf season is pretty much over (in the Northeast at least), what can I do to keep myself in golf shape? I'm glad you asked. I've gathered some info from a couple trainers on a few exercises to keep fit in the cold winter months. Ironically, most golfers I know are in shape...that being of the "round" sort but hey, round is a shape.

If you breakdown the mechanics of the whole golf experience, you have many different movements affecting almost the entire body - such as the swing. This involves rotating of the upper body, use of the arms and shifting balance between the legs. For the most part, the better fit and trim you are, the more fluid and easier the swing is to perform. Insert John Daley joke here.

PLEASE NOTE: Do not, I repeat do not attempt the following exercises without consulting your physician. There...it's officially posted for any moron that said we told them to do this.

Here's a few routines to keep us strong and flexible and work those golf muscles:

Push-ups (and these aren't your normal gym class push-ups buddy so pay attention):

Begin in a regular push-up position. As you push your body up, rotate your upper body and bring your right hand up behind you stretching to reach the ceiling so that your hands are in a vertical line. Simultaneously, bring your right knee as close to your chest as possible. Return to the push up position. Do a push up and repeat with your left hand. Try doing 3-4 sets till failure within 2 minutes

If this is too difficult, leave out the knee part and work up to it. If you are ambitious, use dumbbells.

Lunges:

Cross your arms to form an "X" across your chest as you stand with feet shoulder length apart. Step forward as you would with a normal lunge. As you lower your body, twist your torso to the right, straighten out and then return to a full upright position. Repeat with the other leg. As you get stronger and your balance develops, hold a weight across your chest to make it more challenging.

Do as many as you can in 1 minute intervals with a 15 second break in between for 5 minutes. Or do what you can and work up to a goal.

Cardio:

When it came to this area, I was told to "get my fat ass on a tread mill for good a 35-45 minutes or so." If you don't own a tread mill then get to steppin' outside. What's that, you can't bear the cold winter weather? Suck it up, Sally! Dress in layers. They really stressed a good cardio workout at least 3-4 times a week. Make it a goal to be able to walk/jog 2-3 miles comfortably...more jog than walk though.

If you really can't get outside and you don't have a treadmill, be resourceful, use the stairs in your house and do a few sets up and down those. A good 20 minute romp on the staircase goes a long way.

Good luck!

Hit'em long...yell FORE!!! Stay healthy.

Stop Bitching About Not Playing Enough Golf

I'm a hypocrite. I'm the one who wrote the title of this post. I'm also the one doing most of the bitching.

To those who know I play golf, it's the same old sob story - they ask how my golf season was and my answer, "that I've hardly played golf this year" sounds as though I'm someone in mourning.

And perhaps I am. I'm mourning the death of what was once a spring, summer and fall packed with golf nearly every weekend. But this year that's all changed. I haven't played since early August, which seems like eons ago. I explained the reasons for my dearth of golf in this post from September.

Autumn is typically my favorite time of year to play - the bright colors of New England trees, the crisp air - yet sadly this fall, I haven't stepped one-foot on a tee-box, fairway or green. Not because of the gout (I've shed 15 pounds now and have been hobble-free for a few months), but for a multitude of other things, including a freak October snow storm.

My aguish over not playing has gotten so bad that I recently thought to myself; "so this is how it would be if I quit golf altogether." Seriously, thinking of myself standing on a tee-box getting ready to hit is almost surreal for me these days...what was it like to hit a perfect tee shot on a bright sunny day? I'm not really sure I know anymore.

Ah, but this is all bull shit, isn't it? We weekend hacks are stuck in a catch 22 - we don't play enough so we are hacks. We're hacks because we don't play enough. We could go on and on. But the truth is we are husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, homeowners, employees, supervisors, vice presidents and grandparents. In other words; we have lives.

And in most cases, the parenting, managing and maintenance takes precedence over golf - not just because these things have to come first, but often because we want them to come first (like spending time with my 1-year-old, for instance). Would we love to be out on the course more often? Of course. Is that realistic? Not for many. So we lace-up the soft spikes when we can and sign a scorecard that ends up looking like we went bowling instead. It is what it is.

So when you do get a chance to play, why beat yourself up over how bad you shoot? The fact that you're out there having fun; enjoying the day; enjoying the camaraderie; and having some "me" time - isn't that really what this game is all about?

Yes, I've played only 7 times this season and yes, I've complained about it.

But I'm a hypocrite no longer.

You Look Like You're Going Golfing?!

Do you ever watch Curb Your Enthusiasm? If not, you should. If you do, do you remember that episode when Larry tells people he's not golfing, but he dresses in khakis and a polo so everyone thinks he's lying? Despite his explanation that he just likes the outfit, no one believes him. It's a great episode.

Funny thing happened today. I'm in a store with my kids when one of them says to me "I think that guy is going golfing." I ask what makes him think that. Sure enough, the answer is "Look what he's wearing." So I look over and, of course, find a guy wearing.., yup, you guessed it...khakis and a polo. That situation immediately makes me think of the "Curb" episode.

But, thinking into the situation even further, I start to realize that several days a week, this could be me as well. I go to work looking like this many times. It's a pair of khakis or dress slacks and either a button-down shirt or a polo. On the days I choose to go with the polo, even my boss would make comments - "You golfing after work?" or "What, do you plan on leaving early today?"

But I guess that's good for a few reasons. One being, even if I am going golfing, I can lie to a person with whom I may not feel like playing golf. I can simply say "No, I'm not playing today. I'm working."

But seriously, dressing that way does give me the ability to be ready to hit the links at any moment. I can get a call at work, and within minutes of leaving, I'm on the first tee! When the phone rings, it's like Batman seeing the Bat Signal!

I think that's a testament to looking at golf as an every man's game rather than with the "rich man's game" connotation. The fact that any one of us can pretty much step away from our desks and step onto a golf course, doing not much more than changing our shoes, speaks volumes to the access we all have to this great game. Sure, it's not an inexpensive sport, but if you play the right courses, it's not exactly a bank-breaker either.

So keep in mind for next year to get yourself a few extra polo's. Wear 'em to work, keep one in your car, do whatever you gotta do to be prepared. Then, you too can be Batman!

Swing 'til you're happy!

Veteran's Day Appreciation

When I was younger, I didn't realize the full meaning of Veteran's Day. Yeah, I knew what it was all about. I knew the reason for it. But, despite having a father who was a veteran of the Vietnam War, I was still in the dark as far as the meaning of Veteran's Day to actual veterans as well as the active military.

But over time, especially considering the events of the past ten years, I've grown to understand more fully the effect of Veteran's Day. But for me, it was never more understood than when I began to meet some of the veterans face-to-face.

Though my experience was not golf-related, being in the golf-blogging world, I have gotten to learn about several of the charitable organizations related to veterans. Organizations such as Wounded Warriors Project as well as the golf-related Bunkers in Baghdad have given inspiration, help and hope to both wounded veterans as well as the active military still hard at work overseas.

Though I've gained some understanding of the meaning of these organizations to the veterans themselves by reading many of the comments from both the organizers and veterans alike, you can't quite get the full effect unless you hear it directly from the horse's mouth.

I was fortunate enough to gain this perspective a month ago while assisting my wife at a local fair. Setting up a booth to help raise money for her Wear Red Fridays campaign, I had the opportunity to meet many veterans, as well as their friends and family, who stopped by the booth either to purchase a t-shirt, donate money or just give thanks for the support. It's from the veterans and active military that you can really understand what the support of others means to them.

So this Veteran's Day, keep in mind the reason this holiday exists in the first place. Unfortunately, it sometimes seems more like a reason for a car dealership to promote a "sale." But if you take a minute to speak to one of our brave servicemen or women, you will gain a better understanding of the appreciation they have for the support of the people for whom they are serving.

Swing 'til you're happy!

The PGA, WWE or A Three Ring Circus?

Every so often I like to check in and see what is going on in the professional world of golf. It never ceases to amaze me the crap that actually happens. I get the feeling the PGA operates in a world of it's own. I know, I know...sad.

Let's start with Mr. Steve Williams. If you haven't been following, Tiger's ex-caddie blurted out a comment about his former boss at a recent caddies' awards party. The comment might have been considered a racist slur but Woods confirmed Williams is not a racist. The part I find amazing is there's actually a caddies' awards party...interesting.

If it was baseball, basketball or football, forget it; the media coverage would rival that of the Kardashian wedding. The feds would have gotten involved and there would have been a hearing or two. Since it's the PGA, the two spoke, shook hands and are moving forward like nothing happened.

Here's what I think: This boisterous caddie loved the attention he was getting with Tiger. Now that it's gone, he pulls this crap to be back in the spotlight. I don't know about you but I foresee Williams being a candidate for another award...Jack Ass Of The Year. Let's have a party for that.

Speaking of awards, the PGA has also decided to not award a 2011 Comeback Player Of The Year. Are they saving it for Tiger? Come on, there isn't one person on the tour that can be a possible candidate? If I followed the tour I'm sure I could nominate someone. I find it hard to believe not one golfer on the tour deserves this.

What the heck is going on? I understand that this is not a prestigious award but I'm sure it will mean a lot to someone who busted their ass to make a comeback. No? So, what you are saying is that every pro golfer on the tour did exactly the same. I don't get it...this is why I only check in every so often.

Hit'em long...yell FORE!!! Keep it real.

Ladies, Let Your Man Golf!

Oh My God!! I've had enough! If someone doesn't take my husband golfing soon I'm going to have a conniption!

This is Jenn, aka Mrs. Stinky Golfer Chris. I'm taking over his post to plead for anyone to step forward and get my husband on a golf course. Better yet, take him on a golf trip! All year I've had to listen to him complain about how he hasn't had the chance to golf much this year. And with the recent snow storm here in the northeast, it's been even worse!

Granted, for the most part he didn't get to play as much as he normally would. It was just one of those years. It seemed like every weekend there was simply something that needed to be done. Be it a kids soccer game, baseball game, someones birthday party, family gathering or my photography business...something was always getting in his way.

But if that wasn't bad enough, we have a freak, record-setting snowstorm in October, normally his last month to guarantee golf. November is always hit or miss. And this November, between my trip back home to visit family in Colorado, the clean up of downed branches and power outages due to the storm, we're not off to a good start.

He keeps talking about a couple of newly public courses that he wanted to get to this year. He's also mentioned how it's been a few years since his last golf trip. Are there any other golf wives dealing with this?

Being that I work in the golf industry, I'm well aware that many golf courses are in some financial trouble. I'm also well aware that not as many people are playing golf as in previous years. It's one of the reasons my husband and his stinky golfer buddies are doing what they're doing. So with that being said, I can't imagine I'm the only golf wife who has to listen to their husband complaining.

So ladies, for the sake of your husband as well as your own sanity, don't keep your husband away from the game he loves. Get him out there. Make him go play. Tell him to take a golf trip. Or else you have to go through the winter months listening to him complain. And what's worse? Having him disappear for a few hours every weekend or so? Or listening to him whine like a little girl all winter long?

Ladies, let your husband swing 'til he's happy!

What's Your Most Interesting Golf Story?

One of your golf bio questions on Golfstinks.com (yes, you have your own golf bio when you become a member) is "what's your most interesting golf experience." Well, we've been getting some pretty good stories from the members thus far and wanted to open this up to our blog community too.

Let me break the ice by telling my very true tale...

It was the Friday of Memorial Day weekend 2001. A few friends of mine (one of which would later be known as Stinky Golfer Chris) were on a puddle jumper going from Charlotte to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The plan was as follows: Land. Play 18-holes. Eat. Sleep. Play 36-holes. Eat. Sleep. Play 9-holes. Fly back to Connecticut so we could get a good night's sleep before work on Monday (as you could see, there really wasn't much time to spare).

So we landed. We played 18-holes at Shipyard Golf Club and since not many people were out on the course that day, we actually finished our round earlier than expected. With daylight to spare, we headed back to the oceanfront condo (Stinky Golfer Chris' rich uncle let us crash at his summer place) to do a little boogie-boarding before dinner.

So there we were - our foursome splashing and playing in the surf like 6-year-olds - when a wave knocked me off my boogie-board and I fell backwards into the water. I was close to the beach and the water was only about three feet deep. My right hand found the sandy bottom and then it happened - a sharp stabbing pain between my thumb and index finger.

At first, I had no idea what hit me. But I was bleeding from a half-inch gash on top of my hand which seemed to be pretty deep. The pain was pretty bad too. On top of the cut itself hurting, the salt water was making matters worse.

My initial thought was I hit a sharp rock, or perhaps a crab pinched me. But then I felt it - a sting ray brushed by my leg and I was fairly certain that's what got me. "Oh God, aren't those things poisonous?" I thought to myself. It's a good thing the Steve Irwin incident hadn't happened yet otherwise I would have been freaking out.

By now I was trudging to the beach as fast as I could, worried that my bleeding hand was chumming the water for Great Whites. Despite screaming "AHHHH" when it first happened, none of my foursome seemed particularly concerned about the Jaws scene unfolding in front of them. I distinctly remember one of them still laying out on a beach chair when I pulled myself ashore.

By now it was dinner time, and that (not my throbbing and still bleeding) hand seemed to be the priority. "Sure, I'll man-up and go to dinner with you guys. Let me just ice-it, wrap-it and we can go" I told them. And that's what I did. Iced it for about 15 minutes, wrapped it in some gauze (still bleeding, and now slightly discolored in a purplish hue) and off we went to the Outback Steakhouse.

Towards the end of dinner, I announced the pain wasn't letting up any. I could tell this annoyed them as they had their hearts set on a few more Foster's before heading home. But when I showed them it was still bleeding - 3 hours later, I think they finally realized they needed to deal with my bitching.

So off to the emergency room we went, where I explained to the nurse what happened. She took one look and exclaimed, "Yep, that was a Stingy. Basically you have two choices. You can stay here and we'll admit you overnight or you can go home and submerge it in hot water."

Hot water? I was icing the freaking thing! Turns out hot water (as hot as you can stand it) draws the toxin out (which from the sting ray, by the way, is not fatal - Mr. Irwin died because it stung him in the heart). In addition to the hot water, I needed to visit a medical center the next day to have a doctor see if I needed stitches or antibiotics or both. Crap - there goes one of our tee-times.

The guys were cool though - they came to the doctor's with me (we missed our morning round) and fortunately, I didn't need stitches (I did get antibiotics though). Even better, since it was on the top of my hand, it didn't interfere with my swing! We finished our stay on Hilton Head playing at the beautiful Palmetto Dunes and even more alluring Sea Pines.

A decade later I still have the scar, and the skin around it is still slightly discolored. But, a few years ago, I was at a restaurant that had sting ray on the menu...revenge never tasted so good.

So, what's your story?

Golf, A Blessing In Disguise.

Golf is difficult, we know this, but that is also relative. I'm sure we can agree waiting in line at the DMV is difficult too, no? But given the choice, we would rather be golfing. As hard a game or sport it might be, we want to play it no matter how our previous round went. How lucky are we to have that privilege?

Every so often something is introduced to me and it resonates within. Thanks to our buddy Kevin over at L2 Communications for providing the following video. It's amazing! The very first few words, "Golf is hard" uttered by Sgt. Russell Logan sets the tone.

Mind you, this is coming from someone who lost a leg to an explosion while serving in Afghanistan. So, relatively speaking, how hard is golf? Better yet, how modest is this man, hero and golfer? To be exposed to war and all its horror is difficult. To live through and overcome a traumatic experience in a war zone is even more difficult. To hear the words "golf is hard" come out of his mouth, that's a blessing...



Hit'em long...Yell FORE!!!